International Skilled Workers in Austria: Key Changes in 2026

Since 7 August 2026, important changes to Austrian residence and immigration law as well as the rules governing the employment of foreign nationals have been in effect. The new rules provide greater flexibility and make things easier for international skilled workers and their families who want to live and work in Austria.

What exactly has changed, and how can you benefit from the new rules? Here is an overview of five important changes. 

1. Job Seeker Visa: You can now await the decision on your Red-White-Red - Card in Austria

Austria’s Job Seeker Visa allows highly qualified professionals from third countries to come to Austria without a specific job offer and look for suitable employment.

The Job Seeker Visa is not a residence permit. It is a Visa D for the purpose of seeking employment and can be issued for a period of six months. During this time, you can look for a suitable job in Austria, attend job interviews with Austrian companies and, once you have a specific job offer, apply for a Red-White-Red - Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers.

What’s new?

Previously, holders of a Job Seeker Visa generally had to leave Austria once their Visa D expired, even if they had already applied for a Red-White-Red - Card while their visa was still valid.

Since the 2026 legislative amendment, an important exception applies: If you find a suitable job while your Job Seeker Visa is valid and submit your application for a Red-White-Red - Card in time, you may remain in Austria while your application is being processed. This means that you do not have to leave Austria solely because your Job Seeker Visa expires while the procedure is still ongoing.

To qualify for a Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the requirements for a Red-White-Red - Card for Very Highly Qualified Workers and obtain at least 70 points under the applicable points system. You must provide appropriate evidence of your qualifications, professional experience and language skills, for example university diplomas, employment certificates or language certificates.

You must apply for the Job Seeker Visa at the competent Austrian representation (embassy or consulate) in your country of residence. 

2. Lawful entry and stay: You can await the decision on your Red-White-Red - Card in Austria

As a qualified professional, you can apply for a Red-White-Red - Card after legally entering Austria and while you are legally staying in the country. What is new is that, if you submit your application in time, you can remain in Austria while waiting for a decision on your application, even if, for example, your permitted visa-free stay expires while the procedure is still ongoing.

Example: An Albanian citizen can enter Austria without a visa and stay for up to 90 days. If she receives a specific job offer during this period and meets the requirements for a Red-White-Red - Card, she can submit her application in Austria. She may then remain in Austria while waiting for a decision, even if her permitted visa-free stay expires during the procedure.

This new rule applies both to persons who enter Austria without a visa and to those who enter with a visa. 

3. Special rules when changing employers with a Red-White-Red - Card

The Red-White-Red - Card is tied to a specific employer. If you want to change employers while your card is still valid, you must therefore apply for a new Red-White-Red - Card for employment with your new employer.

What’s new? If no decision is made on your application within 45 days, you may, subject to the statutory requirements, start working for your new employer even if your new Red-White-Red - Card has not yet been issued.

4. Residence Permit – Family Reunification with access to the labour market

The Residence Permit – Family Reunification (Aufenthaltsbewilligung – Familiengemeinschaft) allows family members of persons holding certain residence permits, such as a Residence Permit – Student, to reside in Austria.

Previously, family members who wanted to take up employment in Austria also required an employment permit (Beschäftigungsbewilligung) from the Austrian Public Employment Service (AMS).

What’s new? If you have a specific job offer, you can apply for a Residence Permit – Family Reunification with access to the labour market.

You can find more information about working with a Residence Permit – Family Reunification here:

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5. Multiple emergency vignettes during a renewal procedure

If you have submitted an application for renewal or change of purpose in time, your previous residence permit has already expired and your new residence permit has not yet been issued, you can apply for an emergency vignette (Notvignette) from the competent residence authority.

You will need to provide evidence explaining why you urgently need to leave Austria, such as an invitation from business partners or, in the event of a bereavement, a death certificate, as well as a travel ticket. The emergency vignette is valid for three months and is issued as a Schengen visa in your passport.

What’s new? An emergency vignette can now be issued multiple times during the same renewal procedure. Previously, it could only be issued once. 

 

More information about residence permits